Automatic washing machine including dispensing means



E. D. MOREY May 23, 1967 AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING DISPENSING MEANS s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug.

F'K-li O Q r INVENTOR EVERETT 0. MOREY BY l%/%/( Hus ATTORNEY May 23, 1967 E. 0. MOREY 3,320,777

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING DISPENSING MEANS Filed Aug. 2), 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SP 7? F362 F G 6 EVERETT D. MOREY HIS ATTORNEY May 23, 1967 E. D. MOREY AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING DISPENSING MEANS Filed Aug. 9, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

EVERETT D. MOREY QQM/AZWS HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,329,777 AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING DISPENSING IVIEANS Everett I). Morey, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Com any, a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 478,266 5 Claims. (CI. 68-12) This invention relates to automatic fabric washing machines, and more particularly to an arrangement, provided in such machines, for introducing treating agents subsequent to the start or" the operation of the machine.

Automatic fabric washing machines customarily proceed through a sequence of operations in order to wash, rinse, and dry the clothes. The sequence ordinarily in cludes a washing operation followed by a liquid extraction operation, a rinse operation in which the clothes are rinsed in clean water, and a final extraction operation in which the rinse water is removed from the clothes. Depending upon the type of machine, the sequence of operation may vary, as for example, some machines include an initial pre-wash or soak operation prior to the washing operation, and other machines include a spray rinse during the rinsing operation in addition to the customary submersion rinse. However, the general sequence of washing, extracting, rinsing and then extracting again is used in almost all automatic washing machines.

In order to obtain the most desirable results from these machines it has been found advantageous that a treating agent such as bleach be added to the water during the washing operation in addition to the detergent normally used, and that a treating agent also be added to the rinse water during the rinsing operation. Various treating agents for the rinsing operation may be used such as water softeners and fabric softeners and are hereinafter referred to generally as rinsing or rinse agent. It is desirable that the bleach be added during the wash operation after the clothes and water container means has been filled with water and the agitation has started because highly concentrated bleach will damage fabrics if poured directly on the dry fabrics. Also it is desirable to delay the addition of bleach of a period of time after the wash action has begun so as not to reduce the effectiveness of the optical brighteners in present-day detergents. It is advantageous that any rinse agent dispenser be of the type in which the rinse agent is flushed from the dispenser by a stream of water because rinse agents normally are rather viscous and other types of dispensers, such as, for instance, a siphoning dispenser tend to cause an unwanted residue to be deposited on the dispenser.

Presently avail-able washing machines provide bleach and rinse agent dispensing; however, they utilize completely separate and independent dispensing means for adding the different agents. These arrangements substantially increase the cost of the machine and, being completely separate, they occupy an inordinately large amount of space while automatic washing machine manufacturers are attempting to provide machines capable of washing the largest practical load utilizing the smallest possible cabinet sizes.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved dispensing mechanism which is effective to dispense both bleach and rinse agent at appropriate points in the sequence of operation of the machine.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a dispensing mechanism for an automatic fabric washing machine which is effective to dispense bleach during the portion of the washing operation in which the fabrics are being flexed and to dispense rinse agent during the portion of the rinsing operation in which the clothes container is being filled with rinse water.

3,320,777 Patented May 23, 1967 A further, more specific, object of my invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism which is effective to add bleach by gravity during the fabric flexing portion of the washing operation and to add rinse agent to the clothes container by a flushing operation during the water supply portion of the rinsing operation.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, a first storage container is provided for bleach and is provided with an outlet over the clothes container which is normally closed by a first v-alve. A second, open top storage receptacle is provided over the clothes container to receive rinse agent. A diversion conduit means connects the rinse agent storage receptacle to the water supply mechanism for the machine and includes a valve for deflecting water away from the rinse agent storage receptacle into the clothes container. The machine is provided with sequence control means for providing a sequence of operation in which water is provided to the machine, then the fabrics are flexed in the water after which the water is drained from the machine, this operation is repeated for washing and rinsing the fabrics. The sequence control means includes a solenoid which is energizable during the portion of the washing operation in which the clothes are being flexed and during the portion of the rinsing operation in which water is being provided to the container. Energization of the solenoid opens the bleach receptacle valve and moves the deflector from the diversion conduit means. Since no water is being added during the clothes flexing operation, the first energization of the solenoid will result in a gravity fed bleach addition to the clothes container. Since the leach container has already been emptied prior to the rinsing operation, the second energization of the solenoid causes the rinse agent receptacle to be flushed and the rinse agent to be added to the clothes container.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and meth- 0d of operation, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a partial side elevational view of a clothes washing machine which includes my improved mechanism, the view being partly broken away and partly in section to illustrate details;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the washing machine of FIGURE 1, the view being partly broken away and partially insection to illustrate details;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control circuit incorporating one embodiment of the sequence control mechanism portion of my invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of the development of the cam surfaces used in the control of the timer operated switches of FIGURE 5, thereby indicating the operation of the sequences by cams throughout a cycle.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, I have shown therein an agitator-type clothes washing machine 11 having a conventional basket or clothes receiving container 12 provided over its side and bottom walls with perforations 13 and disposed within an outer imperforate tub or casing 14, the basket 12 and tube 14 together forming container means for liquid and the fabrics or clothes to be immersed in the liquid. The 'basket 12 may be provided with a suitable clothes retaining member 15 for preventing the clothes from being floated over the top of the basket, and

lth a balance ring 16 to help steady the basket when it rotated at high speed.

Tub 14 is rigidly mounted within an appearance cabit 17 which includes a cover 18 hingedly mounted in e top portion 19 of the cabinet for providing access rough an opening 20 to the basket 12. A gasket 21 ay be provided so as to form a seal between the top of e tub 14 and the portion 19 of the cabinet thereby prevent escape of moisture and moist air into the cabiat around the tub,. The rigid mounting of tub 14 within e cabinet 17 may be eifected by any suitable means such 1 strap members 22, each of which is secured at one id to an inturned flange 23 of the cabinet and at its :her end to the outside of tub 14. At the center of isket 12 there is positioned suitable means for flexing othes which are placed into the basket 12. In the pres- 1t case, this flexing means takes the form of a vertical (is agitator 24 which includes a centerpost 25 and a lurality of curved water circulating vanes 26'joined at 1eir lower end by an outwardly flared skirt 27.

The clothes basket 12 and the agitator 24 are rotatably iounted. The basket is mounted on a flange 28 of a 1'0- ttable hub 29, and the agitator 24 is mounted on a shaft not shown) which extends upwardly through the hub 29 nd through the centerpost 25 and is secured to the agi- 1tor so as to drive it. During the cycle of operation of iachine 1, water is introduced into the tub 14 and the asket 12, and the agitator is then oscillated back and orth on its axis, that is, in a horizontal plane within the asket; this initial step is preferably a soak operation lhlCll may be provided wit-h or without detergent to loosen irt from the fabrics. Then, after a predetermined period f this action, basket 12 is rotated at high speed to exract centrifugally the liquid from the clothes and disharge' it to drain. Following this extraction operation, supply of clean liquid is introduced into the basket for vashing the clothes and the agitator is again oscillated. )uring this operation, which constitutes the wash step of he cycle, the liquid is preferably mixed with a suitable reating agent such as a detergent in order to effect chemcal cleansing of the fabrics. Then the basket is rotated gain at high speed to extract this washing liquid. Folowing this, a supply of clean liquid is introduced into he basket for rinsing the clothes and once againthe agiator is oscillated. Finally, the basket is once more roated at high speed to extract the rin'se water. Of course, vhile it is often not done, more than one rinsing operaion may be provided if so desired, and irrevelant modiications such as, for instance, spray rinses during the :pinning operation may also be provided.

Basket 12 and agitator 24 may be driven through any iuitable means. By way of example, I have shown them is driven from a reversing motor 30 through a system in- :luding a suitable load limiting clutch 31 mounted on the notor shaft. A suitable belt 32 transmits power from :lutch 31 to a transmission assembly 33 through a pulley 34. Thus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, pulley 34 of transmission 33 is driven in opposite directions. The transmission 33 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and basket mounting hub 29. When motor 30 is rotated in one direction the transmission causes agitator 24 to oscillate in a substantially horizontal plane within basket 12. Conversely, when motor 30 is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission rotates the basket 12 and agitator 24 together at high speed for centrifugal liquid extraction. While the specific type of transmission mechanism used does not form part of this invention, reference is made to Patent 2,844,225 issued to James R. Hubbard et al. on I uly 22, 1958, and owned by the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. That patent discloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In addition to operating the transmission 33 as described, motor 30 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 35 to a pump mechanism 36, which may include two separate pumps or pumping units 37 and 38 both operated in the same direction simultaneously by motor 3%. Pump 37 has an inlet which is connected by conduit 39 to an opening 44 in the lowermost point of tub 14. Pump 37 also has an outlet which is connected by a conduit 41 to a suitable drain, for instance (not shown). Pump 38 has an inlet connected by a conduit 42. to the interior of tub 14- and outlet connected by conduit 43 to a nozzle 44. The pumps are formed so that in the spin direction of motor rotation pump 37 will draw in liquid from opening 40 through conduit 39 and discharge it through conduit 41 to drain, and, in the other direction of rotation, pump 38 will draw in liquid through conduit 42 and discharge it through conduit 43 and nozzle 44, each of the pumps being substantially inoperative in the direction of rotation in whichit is not used. The particular form of the pump assembly 36 is not significant; rather, assembly 36 is representative of any structure capable of passing liquid selectively out through one outlet or another, whether by use of one pump with suitable valving, a combination structure, or two pumps.

Nozzle 44 is positioned to discharge into a filter pan 45 secured on the top portion of agitator 24- so as to be movable therewith. With this structure then, when the motor is rotating so as to provide agitation, pump 38' draws liquid through conduit 42 from tub 14 and discharges it through conduit 43 so that the liquid passes from nozzle 44 substantially horizontally through an air gap, into filter pan 45, and then down through a number of small openings (indicated by the numeral 45a in FIG- URE 2) provided in the bottom of the filter pan, and back into the basket 12. In this manner, the filter pan 45 with its small openings and its upstanding side wall 46 causes lint which is separated from the clothes during the washing operation to be filtered out of the water, and thus prevents it from being redeposited on the clothes.

The motor 30, clutch 31,- transmission 33, basket 12 and agitator 24 form a suspended washing and centrifuging system which is supported by the stationary structure of the machine so as to provide isolation of vibrations from the stationary structure. Anysuitable suspension structure may be used, one such'structure includes a bracket member 47 with transmission 33 mounted on top thereof and motor 30 mounted to the underside thereof. Bracket member 47 in turn is secured to upwardly extending grid members 48, and each of the two upwardly extending members 48 is connected to a cable 49 supported from the top of the machine. While only a portion of the suspension system is shown in FIGURE 1, such a vibration isolating system is fully described and claimed in Patent 2,987,190, issued on June 6, 1961, to John Bochan and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

In order to accommodate the movement which occurs between basket 12 and tub 14 without any danger of leakage between them the stationary tub 14 is joined to the upper part of transmission 33 by a flexible boot member 50. Boot 50 may be of any suitable configuration, many of which are known in the art, to permit relative motion of the parts to which it is joined without leakage therebetween.

The hot and cold water may be supplied to the machine through conduits 51 and 52 which are adapted to be connected respectively to sources of hot and cold water (not shown). Conduits 51 and 52 extend into a conventional mixing valve structure 53 having solenoids 54 and 55. Energization of solenoid 54 permits passage of hot water through the valve to a hose 56, energization of solenoid 55 permits passage of cold water through the valve, and energization of both solenoids permits mixing of hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warm water into hose 56. Hose 56 is connected to an outlet nozzle 57, which may be formed as part of hose 55, and is positioned to discharge into basket 12 so that when one or both of the solenoids 54 and 55 are energized, Water passes into the basket 12 and tub 14.

The level to which water rises in the basket and tub may be controlled by any suitable liquid level sensing means. One typical arrangement for doing this is to provide an opening 58 in the side of tub 14 adjacent the bottom thereof, the opening 58 being connected through a conduit 59 in a tube 60 to a conventional pressure sensitive device (shown schematically in FIGURE 5 by switch 61) which may be positioned within the backsplasher 62 of machine 11. In the conventional manner, as water rises in basket 12 and tub 14 it exerts increasing pressure on a column of air trapped in tube 60, and at a predetermined pressure level the column of air trips switch 61 to shut off whichever of solenoids 54 and 55 may be energized. The backsplasher 62 may have suitable manual controls, such as that shown at 63, extending therefrom so that the particular fabric cycle, including, for instance, washing and spin speeds, water temperatures, water level within tub 14 and basket 12, etc., may be controlled to effect the washing of different types of fabrics.

Referring now to FIGURES 1-4, there is shown the storage receptacle and valve portions of my new and improved dispensing mechanism. A bleach storage receptacle 64 is mounted within tub 14 just under the top portion 19 of appearance cabinet 17. The bleach receptacle includes a bottom, trough-like member 65 which slopes downwardly to a lowermost point 66 that is positioned over basket 12. The lowermost point 66 is formed with a discharge opening 67 (most clearly shown in FIG- URE 4). The top of the receptacle 64 is substantially closed by a flat, top member 68 that is provided with a loading opening 69. A loading conduit 70 connects opening 69 with an appropriate opening (not shown) in top member 19 so that bleach may be introduced into receptacle 64 without any danger of it spilling into the basket 12 where it might come into contact with dry fabrics and thereby cause damage to them.

Discharge opening 67 is normally closed by means of a plunger 71 which fits closely within discharge opening 67 and extends upwardly through receptacle 64 and out a mating opening in top wall 68 into a small housing 72 formed on top wall 68. The upper end of plunger 71 is connected to an elongated generally horizontal portion 73 of a actuating member 74. The actuating member extends across the lower portion of housing 72 and then is bent upwardly to pass through a top wall 75 of the housing, where it is again bent into a horizontal portion 76 which extends through a slot 77 formed in the top wall 75 of housing 72 and between gasket 21 and top portion 19 of cabinet 17. The other end of horizontal portion 76 is bent downwardly to form a generally vertical portion 78 that is received in the end of the armature 79 of a solenoid 80. The positioning of horizontal portion 76 within slot 77 and the close fit of horizontal portion 76 between gasket 21 and top portion 19 effectively cause actuating member 74 to be pivotally mounted so that energization of solenoid 80 causes actuating member 74 to pivot about horizontal portion 76 so that horizontal portion 74 is moved upwardly to the position indicated in broken line in FIGURE 4. A coil spring 81 is mounted between top wall 75 of housing 72 and a return bend 82 formed in horizontal portion 74. When solenoid 80 is actuated to pivot horizontal portion 74 upwardly plunger 71 is removed from opening 67 so that bleach will drain out of storage receptacle 64 and, at the same time, coil spring 81 is compressed. Then, when solenoid 80 is deenergized, coil spring 81 is effective to pivot actuating member 74 about horizontal portion 76 so that horizontal portion 74 is returned to the solid line position shown in FIGURE 4, thus reseating plunger 71 in opening 67 so that opening 67 is effectively closed. Thus, plunger 71, actuating member 74 and coil spring 81, in effect, form a valve means for selectively causing the discharge of bleach from receptacle 64 into basket 12.

A shallow, open top rinse aid storage receptacle 83 is mounted within tub 14 under top portion 19 of cabinet 17 adjacent one end of bleach storage receptacle 64. An appropriate opening (not shown) may be provided in top portion 19 so that rinse agent may be added to receptacle 83 for later transfer to the container means formed by basket 12 and tub 14. It will be understood that it is not necessary to close the top of receptacle 83 and provide a conduit connected to the opening in top portion 19 as was done with bleach storage receptacle 64 since any small amount of rinse agent which might splash on dry fabrics within basket 12 would in no way harm them. Water diversion means including a tube 84 and an open top channel member 85 is provided to connect outlet nozzle 57 with rinse agent storage receptacle 83. The tube 84 is connected to nozzle 57 and nozzle 86 which is spaced slightly from the inlet 87 of channel member 85. From inlet 87 channel member 85' extends across the top of bleach storage receptacle 64, which forms the support for the channel member, and concludes in an outlet 88 positioned above one end of rinse agent storage receptacle 83.

The spacing between nozzle 86 and inlet 87 forms an air gap 89 which is normally blocked by means of a valve means including a deflector plate 90 and a connecting arm 91, which connects deflector plate 90 to horizontal portion 76 of actuating member 74. Thus, when solenoid is de-energized deflector plate 90 and connecting arm 91 will assume the position shown in solid line in FIGURE 4 so that water diverted from outlet nozzle 57 into tube 84 and nozzle 86 will impinge upon deflector plate 90 and be deflected into tub 14. When solenoid 80 is energized and actuating member 74 .is rotated about horizontal portion 76, deflector plate 90 and connecting arm 91 will be moved to the position shown in dotted line in FIGURE 4. At this time water diverted from outlet nozzle 57 through tube 34 will fiow out of nozzle 85, across air gap 89 and enter inlet 87 of channel member 85. Channel member conducts the water across the top of bleach storage receptacle 64 and discharges it into rinse agent storage receptacle 83. Such a stream of water entering receptacle 83 will dilute the rinse agent and flush it out of storage receptacle 83 so that it will effectively be transferred to the container means formed by basket 12 and tub 14.

In normal operation the stream of water entering storage receptacle 83 from channel member 85 will be sufficient to transfer substantially all of the rinse agent from receptacle 83 to tub 14 and basket 12; however, a residue of very dilute mixture of rinse agent and water will remain in receptacle 83. A manual dump valve including a closure member 92 and a pivoted actuator arm 93 are provided, with closure member 92 normally closing an appropriate opening provided in the bottom of receptacle 83 and actuator arm 93 being pivotally mounted between a pair of spaced post members 94 and 95. At the conclusion of the Washing operation the user may depress actuator arm 93 to lift closure member 92 so that the residue of the water and rinse agent mixture will drain out of the receptacle 83 and into tub 14. This mixture will tend to drain out of tub 14 through opening 40 into conduit 39; however, should any small amount of it remain within tub 14 it would in no wise harm the next load of fabrics to be washed. Manual operation of actuator arm 93 may be provided in any suitable manner, for instance, end 96 of the arm could be exposed to the opening through which rinse agent is loaded into receptacle 83 so that the user would merely press down on end 96 or a manual operator could be mounted in top portion 19 of cabinet 17 to bear against end 96.

Referring now to FIGURE 5 the electrical control system for the machine of FIGURES 1-4 will be described. In connection with the circuit of FIGURE 5, it will be understood that present-day washers often include various improvements such as control panel lights, etc., which do ot relate to the present invention, and to some extent lese have been omitted for the sake of simplicity and ease f understanding.

In order to control the sequence of operation of the omponents of machine 11, the circuit includes an autotatic sequence control assembly which incorporates a .mer motor 98 driving a plurality of earns 99, 100, 101, 02 and 103. These cams, during their rotation by the tmer motor, actuate various switches (as will be decribed), causing the machine to pass through an apropriate cycle of operations, first soaking the clothes nd then extracting the soak water, then washing the lothes and extracting the wash water, then rinsing the lothes in clean water and finally centrifuging the rinse vater from the clothes. The operating surfaces of the lifferent cams are shown in developed form in FIGURE i and will be discussed further herebelow in connection vith the description of the operation of the machine.

The electric circuit as a whole is adapted to "be energized from a power supply (not shown) through a pair )f conductors 104 and 105. Cam 99 controls a switch l-6 which includes contacts 107, 108 and 109. When the :am has assumed a position where all three contacts are :eparated, machine 11, is disconnected from the power :ource and is inoperative. When operation of machine [1 is to be initiated, switch 106 is controlled by cam 99 ;o that contacts 107 and 108 are engaged. Then, when nain switch 110 is closed by one of the controls 63, power s provided to the control circuit from conductor 104 :hrough contacts 107 and 108. From contact 108, the :ircuit extends through a conductor 111 and a manually operated switch 112 to the valve control solenoid 55. In addition, a circuit is completed from conductor 111 through a switch 11.3 controlled by earn 101. In the up position, switch 113 completes a circuit for solenoid 55 independently of switch 112, and in the down position shown, switch 113 completes a circuit for solenoid 54. Thus, when switch 112 is open, energization of solenoids 54 and 55 is under the control of switch 113, However, when switch 112 is closed and cold water solenoid 55 may be energized independently of the switch 113. From the hot and cold water solenoids, the energizing circuit extends through a conductor 114, a conductor 115, the contact 116 of a relay 117, the start winding 118 of motor 30, a conductor 119, a conventional motor protector 120, a switch 121 controlled by cam 103, and main switch 110 to the conductor 105.

Motor 30 is of the conventional type which is provided with a main winding 122 and the start winding 118, which assists the main winding during starting of the motor when it is energized in parallel therewith. One circuit for'main winding 122 extends from conductor 115 through a conductor 123, contact 124, contact arm 125, conductor 135, coil 126 of relay 117, main winding 122, contact arm 127, contact 128, conductor 129, and conductor 130 to conduct-or 119. Contacts 124 and 128 and contact arms 125 and 127 for-m part of a double pole double throw switch 131 which also includes a contact 132 connected to conductor 114 through a lid switch 133. The contact arms 12-5 and 127 are controlled by cam 102 so that when contact arm 125 is in engagement with contact 124 contact arm 127 will be in engagement with contact 128 and when contact arm 125 is in engagement with contact 128 contact arm 127 will be in engagement with contact 132. Lid switch 133 is closed when lid 18 is closed and open when lid 18 is open. When the contact arms are in their down position, the circuit for main winding 122 extends from conductor 114 through lid switch 133, contact 132, contact arm 127, main winding 122, coil 126, contact arm 125, contact 128, conductor 129, and conductor 130 to conductor 119. A circuit also is corn pleted in parallel with motor 30 through timer motor 98 from conductor 114 to conductor 105.

When a relatively high current passes through the relay coil 126 it causes the relay contact 116 to be closed; this permits an energizing circuit for the start winding to be completed in parallel with the main winding from conductor 115 to conductor 119. Relay coil 126 is designed to close contact 116 when a relatively high current of the level demanded by the motor when the motor is rotating below a predetermined speed is passing through it. At other times, when there is no current passing through the relay coil 126 or when the current is below the required energizing level, as is true in the running speed range of the motor, the contact 116 is open. When the main winding 122 of motor 30 is in series with the valve solenoids 54 and 55, as described a much lower impedance is presented in the circuit by the motor 30 than is presented by the valve solenoids. As a result, the greater portion of the supply voltage is taken up across the solenoids and relatively little across the motor. This causes whichever of the solenoids is connected in the circuit to be energized sufiiciently to open its associated water valve. As a result, water at a selected temperature is admitted to the machine through nozzle '57, motors 30 and 98 remaining inactive.

This action continues with the circuitry thus arranged so that the water pours into the basket 12 and tub 14. Because of the perforations 13, the Water rises in both the basketand the tub at the same rate. As the head of water acting on the column of air trapped in the tube 60 increases, the pressure of this air increases until it actuates the switch 61 provided within the backsplasher 62. Whenswitch 61 closes, it provides a short circuit across the solenoids directly from conductor 111 to conductor 114 so that the solenoids are excluded from the efiective circuit and become de-energized. A high potential drop then is provided across winding 122 of the motor 30. This causes the relay coil 126 to close contact 116 to start the motor 30, while at the same time timer motor 98 starts so as to initiate a sequence of operation. It Will be observed that the energization of valve solenoids 54 and 55 on the one hand and the energization of motor 30 on the other hand, are alternative in nature. In other words, when there is sufiicient potential across thevalve solenoids to energize them the motor remains tie-energized, and it is necessary to short the solenoids out of the circuit before the drive motor can be energized.

Solenoid is connected between contact arm 134 and a conductor 135 that connects contact arm 125 to relay coil 126. Contact arm 134 is controlled by cam so as to selectively occupy one of three positions. The first of these is the neutral or central position shown. The second is with the contact arm 134 moved to the left (as seen in FIGURE 5) so as to be in engagement with a contact 136 which is connected to conductor 111. The third is with contact arm 134 moved to the right (as seen in FIGURE 5) so as to bein engagement with a contact 137. When contact arm is in the central position shown, solenoid 80 is de-energized. When contact arm 134 is in engagement with contact 136 solenoid 80 is connected from con-ductor 111 through contact 136, contact arm 134, conductor 135, contact arm 125, contact 124, conductor 123 and conductor to conductor 114 so as to be effectively connected in parallel with valve solenoids 54 and 55. On the other hand, when contact arm 134 is in engagement with contact 137 solenoid 80 is connected from one side of main winding 122 through conductor 135, the solenoid, contact arm 134, contact 137, conductor 130, conductor 129, contact 128 and contact arm 127 to the other side of main winding 122 so that solenoid 80 is effectively connected in parallel with main winding 122.

The switch 121 is in series with main motor 30; however, it is not in series with timer motor 98. Thus, by opening of switch 121 the energization of motor 30 may be stopped while the timer motor 98 continues to operate. This is a result of the fact that the timer motor 98 is deliberately provided with an impedance much greater than that of the valve solenoids so that it will take up most of the supplied voltage and the solenoids therefore cannot operate their respective valves.

A further point of the circuit of FIGURE is that, when contact arms 125 and 127 are moved by cam 102 to engage contacts 128 and 132 respectively, the polarity of the main winding 122 with respect to the start winding 118 of motor 30 is reversed. Thus, provided motor 30 is stopped or slowed down so that relay contact 116 is closed, the reversal of switch 131 is effective to cause the motor 30 to rotate in the opposite direction when the motor again is started.

In order to energize motor 30 independently of the water level switch 61 and the valve solenoids so that a spin operation may be provided without regard to the absence of the predetermined water level, cam 99 is formed so that it may close all three contacts 107, 108 and 109 of switch 106 during centrifugal liquid extrac tion steps. When this occurs, it causes the power to be supplied from conductor 104 directly through contact 109 to conductor 114 and the motors rather than through the water level switch or the valve solenoids.

Referring now to FIGURE 6 in conjunction with the remaining figures, a cycle of operation of machine 11 will be described to illustrate the manner in which the improved structure and circuitry of my invention effect their intended purpose. It will be assumed that the timer has been operated so that cam 99 has caused contacts 107 and 108 to be closed, cam 100 has caused contact arm 134 to assume its central position, cam 101 has caused contact 113 to move to its down position, cam 102 has positioned the contact arms of switch 131 as shown and cam 103 has closed switch 121. Also, it is assumed that the operator has poured a suitable amount of bleach in bleach storage receptacle 64 and a suitable amount of rinse agent in rinse agent storage receptacle 83. When main switch 110 is closed as by movement of member 63 the first step which takes place is the filling of the machine with water by energization of either solenoid '54 alone to cause hot water to be provided or else, if switch 112 has been manually closed, by the energization of solenoids 54 and 55 together to cause warm water to be provided in the machine. The energization of the solenoids causes motors 30 and 98 to remain inactive and this status continues until the closure of switch 61 at a predetermined liquid level.

At this point, the solenoids are de-energized and, consequently, motors 30 and 98 are energized. The energization of motor 30 is in the direction to cause agitation operation (because of the position of switch 131) and to provide recirculation action by pump 38 from conduit 4-2 through conduit 43, nozzle 44 and filter pan 45. This initial agitation may be provided with clear water or a suitable detergent or other treating agent may be sprinkled or poured directly into the basket 12 so as to cause a chemical washing action on the clothes as well as mechanical loosening of the diit at this time. This action, which is conventionally called a soak, soak sequence or soak step continues for a predetermined time until pause A is reached, at which time cam 103 opens switch 121. This stops the operation of motor 30, the timer motor 98 continues to operate.

During pause A, cam 99 closes all three contacts 107, 108 and 109 of switch 106 to connect conductor 104 to conductor 114 entirely independently of water level switch 61 so as to exclude the valve solenoids 54 and 55 from the circuit. Also, cam 102 reverses the positions of contact arms 125 and 127 of switch 131. The reversal of the contact arms of switch 13 reverses the polarity of main winding 122 relative to start winding 118. As a result, when, at the end of pause A, switch 121 is re-closed by cam 103, motor 30 is energized once again but in the opposite direction. The energization of motor 30 and the de-encrgization of the valve solenoids result from the fact that the valve solenoids are bypassed by the new connection of switch 106. As

a result of the opposite rotation of motor 30, the motor causes a spin operation and simultaneously operates pump 37 in the direction to cause draining of the liquid out of the tub. The spin operation is provided at a relatively high speed of rotation which may, for instance, be in the order of 600 r.p.m. so as to extract a very substantial part of the liquid from the clothes and have it removed by the pump 37.

This spin operation continues until pause B, at which time switch 121 again is opened by cam 103 to de-energize motor 30. During pause B, cam 99 returns switch 106 to the same position it had for soak, that is, with contact 109 disengaged from the other two contacts, and the connections for main motor 30 are again reversed to provide agitation rather than spin action. Thus, when pause B is terminated by reclosing of switch 121 by cam 103, an agitation operation starts. As with the soak operation, first water of predetermined temperature is admitted to the machine with motors 30 and 98 remaining inoperative until a predetermined level is reached, at which point switch 61 is closed to de-energize solenoids 54 and 55 and energize motors 30 and 98. This is the wash sequence or wash step and will be provided with a suitable detergent or other treating agent. This detergent may be sprinkled or poured directly into the basket 12 by the operator or an automatic dispensing arrangement may be provided. One such automatic dispensing arrangement is described in Patent 3,080,742, issued to John W. Toma on March 12, 1963 and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

Shortly after main motor 30 and timer motor 98 are energized to cause agitation to begin, cam 100 is etfective to move contact arm 134 into engagement with contact 137 so that solenoid is effectively energized in parallel with main motor 30. The energization of solenoid 80 causes actuating member 74 to be rotated about horizontal portion 76 and lift plunger 71 from discharge opening 67 so that the bleach stored in receptacle 64 is transferred into basket 12 and tub 14. After a period of time sufficient for a desired amount of bleach to be transferred, cam 100 returns contact arm 134 to its central position so that solenoid 80 is de-energized and spring 81 rotates actuating member 74 in the other direction to return plunger 71 to its original position. The energization of solenoid 80 is delayed a sufficient amount of time to insure that the agitation and recirculation actions have caused the liquid to wet all of the fabrics in basket 12 so that the introduction of the bleach will not harm any of the fabrics. The energization of solenoid 80 also moves deflector out of air gap 89; however, since no fresh water is being introduced through nozzle 57 this had no effect on the rinse agent.

The wash step continues with the agitator causing flexing of the fabrics within the basket and pump 38 recirculating liquid out of the basket through filter pan 45 and back into the basket, for a desired period of time.

Cam 103 then opens switch 121 to provide pause C.

.During this pause C, switch 131 is again reversed and contacts 109 again are engaged with the other two contacts of switch 106. In addition, it is conventional at this time to change the position of switch 113 to its up position so that the cold water solenoid is energized. As a result, when switch 121 recloses, a spin operation will take place until it is terminated by re-opening of switch 121 to cause pause D. At this time, switch 131 is again reversed to reverse the polarity of main winding 121 with respect to start winding 118 so that an agitation step will be provided and cam causes contact arm 134 to move into engagement with contact 136 so that solenoid 80 is connected in parallel with solenoids 54 and 55. As a result, when switch 121 is closed, a rinse step with clear cold water being provided is achieved. At the beginning of the rinse step, as soon as switch 121 is closed, solenoid 80 is energized to rotate actuating member 74 about horizontal portion 76 and move deflector 90 out of air gap 89.

nus, with cold water being provided by energization of lenoid 55, a portion of the water will be diverted trough tube 84 and flow out of nozzle 86, across air 1p 89 and into channel member 85. Channel member 5 conducts the water to rinse agent storage receptacle 83 that it is mixed with the rinse agent and flushes sub,- antially all of the rinse agent out of the receptacle and ltO the container formed by basket 12 and tub 14. This iergization of solenoid 80 also removes plunger 71 from lscharge opening 67 of bleach storage receptacle 64. iowever, movement of plunger 71 has no effect because leach storage receptacle 64 has previously been effecvely emptied of bleach. When water has risen to an ppropriate level Within tub 14 and basket 12 switch 61 is losed to effectively de-energize solenoid 55 and solenoid 0. Main motor and timer motor 98 begin to rotate provide for rinse agitation and for recirculation. imer motor 98 quickly causes cam 100 to return contact rrn 134 to its central position. Thus, a rinse agitation tep with cold water and a suitable rinsing agent is chieved. This is followed in the same manner as before y another pause E, a spin operation, after which cam 9 opens all three contacts of switch 106 to terminate the peration completely by de-energizing all components of he system.

In this manner a complete operation is provided in vhich the sequence of filling, agitating and spinning is ollowed three separate times so as to provide a soak equence, a wash sequence and a rinse sequence. By 'irtue of my invention, the operator may provide bleach ll'ld a suitable rinse agent to be dispensed during the wash tep and rinse step respectively With-out returning to the nachine.

It will be understood that, while in accordance with the ?atent Statutes, I have described what at present is con- :idered to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, t will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various :hanges and modifications maybe made thereinwithout leparting from my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A washing machine including:

(a) container means to receive water and clothes to be washed in the water;

(b) flexing means to flex the clothes in said container means;

(0) water supply mechanism to supply water to said container means;

*(d) drain means to elfect discharge of Water from said container means;

(e) first storage means for bleach to be added to said container means, a first valve associated with said first storage means operative to effect transfer of bleach from said first storage means to said container means;

(f) second storage means for rinse agent to be added to said container means, said second storage means being formed as an open-top receptacle;

'(g) water diversion means for causing a portion of the water supplied to said container means to flow through said second storage means and transfer rinse agent from said second storage mean by overflow through the open top of said second storage means to said container means; said diversion means including second valve means normally blocking flow of the diverted water to said second storage means and operative to allow flow of the diverted water through said second storage means;

(11) and sequence control means for causing operation in sequence of said water supply mechanism, said flexing means and said drain means, said sequence control means providing said sequence at least twice during a cycle of operation to provide a wash sequence fol owed by a rinse sequence;

(i) said sequence control means being effective to operate said first and said second valves concurrently during at least a portion of the wash sequence in which saidflexing means is operated and during at least a portion of the rinse sequence in which said water supply mechanism is operated.

2. A washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first storage means is mounted above and at least partially over said container means and includes a drain outlet over said container, and wherein said first valve normally closes said drain outlet and is operative to open said drain outlet.

3. A washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said water diversion means includes conduit means extending from said water supply mechanism to said second storage means, said conduit means including an air gap positioned .over said container means, and wherein said second valve includes a deflector normally positioned in said air gap to direct the diverted water into said container, said sequence control means being effective to move said deflect-or out of said-air gap.

4. A washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sequence control means includes a solenoid energizable to operate said first and said second valves.

5. .A washing machine including:

(a) container means to receive water and clothes to be washed in the water;

(b) flexing means to flex the clothes in said container means;

(c) water supply mechanism to supply water to said container means;

(d) drain means to effect discharge of water from said container means;

(e) first storage means mounted above and at least partially over said container means for bleach to be added to said container means, said first storage rneans including a drain outlet over said container;

(f) a first valve means normally closing said drain out.

let and operative to open said drain outlet;

(g) second, open top, storage means mounted at least partially over said container means for rinse agent to be added to said container means;

( h) water diversion means for causing a portion of the water supplied to said container means to flow through said second storage means and transfer rinse agent from said second storage means to said containe-r means, said diversion means including conduit means extending fro-m said water supply mechanism to said second storage means, said conduit means including an air gap positioned over said container means;

(i) second valve means including a deflector normally positioned in said air gap to direct diverted water into said container means and operable to move out of said air gap;

(j) and sequence control means for causing operation in sequence of said water supply mechanism, said flexing means and said drain means, said sequence control means providing said sequence at least twice during a cycle of operation to provide a wash sequence followed by a rinse sequence;

(k) said sequence control means including a solenoid connectedto said first and second valve means energizable to operate said first and second valve means concurrently during at least a portion of the wash sequence in which said flexing means is operated and during at least a portion of the rinse sequence in which said water supply mechanism is operated.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,027,741. 4/1962 Bullock et al. 68-17 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING: (A) CONTAINER MEANS TO RECEIVE WATER AND CLOTHES TO BE WASHED IN THE WATER; (B) FLEXING MEANS TO FLEX THE CLOTCHES IN SAID CONTAINER MEANS; (C) WATER SUPPLY MECHANISM TO SUPPLY WATER TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS; (D) DRAIN MEANS TO EFFECT DISCHARGE OF WATER FROM SAID CONTAINER MEANS; (E) FIRST STORAGE MEANS FOR BLEACH TO BE ADDED TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS, A FIRST VALVE ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST STORAGE MEANS OPERATIVE TO EFFECT TRANSFER OF BLEACH FROM SAID FIRST STORAGE MEANS TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS; (F) SECOND STORAGE MEANS FOR RINSE AGENT TO BE ADDED TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS, SAID SECOND STORAGE MEANS BEING FORMED AS AN OPEN-TOP RECEPTACLE; (G) WATER DIVERSION MEANS FOR CAUSING A PORTION OF THE WATER SUPPLIED TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS TO FLOW THROUGH SAID SECOND STORAGE MEANS AND TRANSFER RINSE AGENT FROM SAID SECOND STORAGE MEANS BY OVERFLOW THROUGH THE OPEN TOP OF SAID SECOND STORAGE MEANS TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS; SAID DIVERSION MEANS INCLUDING SECOND VALVE MEANS NORMALLY BLOCKING FLOW OF THE DIVERTED WATER TO SAID SECOND STORAGE MEANS AND OPERATIVE TO ALLOW FLOW OF THE DIVERTED WATER THROUGH SAID SECOND STORAGE MEANS; 